Clifford Jerome Halfmann

Clifford Halfmann, of Olfen, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at the age of 91. A vigil service will be held at St. Boniface Church (Olfen) on Sunday, December 17th, at 6:00 p.m.  The funeral mass will be held at St. Boniface Church on Monday, December 18th, at 10:30 a.m., followed by Army honors at St. Boniface Cemetery.  Services will be provided by Lange Funeral Home.

Clifford was born July 5, 1932, the second of six children born to Otto T. and Amelia (Lange) Halfmann. He was a lifelong resident of Olfen where he attended Olfen ISD and graduated from St. Joseph High School, Rowena, Texas. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Army in May 1955 and was deployed to England for 19 months where he served as a radar technician. He became the chaplain’s assistant and had the honor of serving mass for the chaplain in St. Peter’s Basilica. After returning home, he attended St. Mary’s College in Kentucky for one year but due to the death of his father, he returned home.

Devoted to his beloved church, Saint Boniface, Clifford was involved in all church activities but his most loved ministry was directing the choir for 50 years. He served as Grand Knight for the Olfen Knights of Columbus and Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.

Due to untimely family losses, Clifford came forward as a young man to aid his mother and younger siblings to carry on. After the untimely death of his oldest sister, Rita, he stepped up to help with his infant nieces, Sharon and Judy, and in their teen years when they moved back with the family. Upon the death of his dad, he became the father figure to his seven-year-old brother, Glen. He was always there giving of himself.

He and his brother, Dennis, were early innovators in establishing one of the first registered Red Angus herds in West Texas and became active in the Texas and National Red Angus Associations in 1966. Clifford served as Texas president and National Director. He served on numerous committees in promoting bull tests and sales. Halfmann Red Angus supplied seed stock and bulls to upstart registered herds and commercial cowherds in the United States, Russia, and Mexico. Halfmann Red Angus was named 2007 Pioneer Breeder of the Year of the National Red Angus Association.

Survivors include his brother, Glen Halfmann (Diane), and sister, Betty Joyce Schwartz. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Sharon Duesterhaus, Judy Phelps (Don), Greg Frenzel (Alicia), Lisa Cage, James Schwartz (Cecilia), Jeffrey Schwartz (Karen), Monica Schwartz, Clyde Schwartz (Amy), Chad Halfmann, Cody Halfmann (Laura), and Jessica Smith (Davis). Also surviving are numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Clifford is predeceased by his parents, sisters, Margaret Prachyl, Rita Bartels, and Anna Mae Frenzel, brother, Dennis Halfmann, brothers-in-law, Lawrence Frenzel and David Schwartz, and nephew-in-law, Tony Duesterhaus.

A heartfelt thanks to Darlene and Bruce Storms Family for their wonderful loving and tireless years of care of Clifford.

In 2010, Clifford donated stem cells to his brother, Glen, giving him the gift of life. Please consider giving the gift of life by registering as a stem cell and bone marrow donor.

Memorials can be made to a charity of your choice.